Cumberland School of Law has conducted study abroad programs in England since 1991, first at the University of Kent in Canterbury, then at Collingwood College at the University of Durham. The program was moved to Cambridge in 2006.

The program is designed to introduce students to the legal systems of the U.K. and the European Union and explore their relationship in the looming shadow of Brexit. Students combine a one-week, one-credit course in the English Legal System and Law of the European Union with two elective two-credit courses of their choice for the remaining weeks of the program.

An array of opportunities exists to explore the rich historic legacy of Cambridge and England as a whole, whether the student chooses to join in curated program activities with faculty or pursue individual interests. Students wishing to expand their experience through travel to neighboring countries can do so over the two long weekends built into the academic schedule, as well as before classes begin or after the program ends.

This program is put on through a partnership between Samford University Cumberland School of Law, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and Chapman University Fowler School of Law.

2025 Information and Admission

The 2025 program will take place at Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University, June 29-August 2, 2025.

An opening reception for students and faculty will include an orientation about the college and the Cambridge area. Classes will be conducted Monday & Tuesday of the first week and Monday of the second week for the English Legal System. During the second and third week, there will be no classes on Fridays to provide three-day weekends for travel or study. Exams will be conducted July 31-August 1, and a closing dinner will be offered for students and faculty on July 28.

The 2025 Cambridge program is limited to a maximum of 40 students.

Admission Criteria

Program participation is limited to law students in good standing at an American Bar Association approved law school, graduates of approved law schools in their country of origin or residence, or members of the Bar.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $200 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, lack of sufficient student interest or domestic and/or international instability which is relevant to the program. The application fee will be applied to Housing and Administration Fees once the student is accepted.

The program director recognizes that financial aid for legal studies may not be available until 10 days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and informed the program director of an acceptable payment schedule.

Tuition and Fees

This non-refundable fee begins the registration process, initiates participation in the program, and submits the student to the Cancellation and Refund Policy. The application fee will be applied to Housing & Administration fees upon acceptance.

Tuition: $4,437

The maximum number of credit hours allowable pursuant to American Bar Association regulations for a program of this duration is five hours. The student will, therefore, be allowed to register for the one-hour course and two of the four two-hour courses offered.

Housing & Administration: $5,500

Students will be housed in Sidney Sussex College. Double rooms are not available to students. Visiting family members will need to make a hotel reservation. Breakfast is included for registered students each day of the program. Lunch is also included for registered students each class day.

Lodging will be provided from June 29 and rooms at Sidney Sussex College must be vacated prior to 9:30 a.m. on August 2. Dinner may be purchased in one of the many local restaurants convenient to the lodging. Dinner, other than the closing dinner on July 28, will not be provided by the study abroad program.

Total: $10,399.50

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for the Scotland summer study abroad program for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

Curriculum

All students take the one-credit course and final, The English Legal System, occurring on the Monday and Tuesday of the first week and the Monday of the second week of the program. Each student chooses two elective courses for the remainder of the program, which will begin on July 8. Students are encouraged to visit the Municipal Court in Cambridge.

During the second and third week of classes there will be no classes on Fridays to provide three-day weekends for travel or study. The last day of classes will occur on July 30 and final examinations will be conducted on July 31 and August 1 for the elective courses. Students may anticipate examinations for each course to be comparable to law exams administered in American Bar Association approved law schools in the United States. Exam papers are handwritten by students. The professor responsible for each course will both write and grade the applicable examination.

The English Legal System | LAW 753 (1)

This course is intended to provide students with an overview of the English Legal System as one of the constituent legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom and how it is influenced by the European Union and how the United Kingdom functions without a written constitution. The development of European Union law and human rights law and recent reforms of the highest court of the land will be considered. The course will consider the effect of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. Some topics will be considered on a comparative basis.

Law of the European Union | LAW 754 (2)

This course is designed to further students’ understanding of the European Union (EU) and its legal system. Topics include a review of the history of the EU and its institutions, the relationship between the law of the EU and the law of its member states, significant substantive initiatives such as the Lisbon Treaty, and the similarities (or not) of the EU to organizations such as NAFTA, MERCOSUR, The African Union, ASEAN and the WTO. In light of the Brexit referendum, students will have the opportunity to observe the changing political balances in Europe and in the United Kingdom as England finalizes its departure from the EU.

Shakespeare and the Law | Law 755 (2)

This course acquaints the student with the interdisciplinary field of Shakespearean and legal studies. An innovative methodology of trial work and close textual reading is employed. No dramatic or literary experience is required. The class will view trials in Shakespeare’s plays through live performances by the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival and the Globe. This course is hands-on learning of persuasive advocacy skills through classical dramatic exposure. This is a unique opportunity to experience the drama of the law while in the land of Shakespeare.

Global Issues in Education, Equality and Human Rights | LAW 798 (2)

In this course, students will examine Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights along with portions of subsequent global human rights treaties. Students will develop an understanding of the origins and evolution of international human rights law and how this body of law addresses issues of gender, children of war, oppressed classes, race, and disability, with a particular focus on access to education and the promotion of equality. Students will examine how different nations use distinct judicial, legislative, administrative, or other measures to secure these internationally recognized rights in compliance (or not) with international law and assess what means are available to enforce international law to protect human rights.

Law, Technology and Global Society | LAW 799 (2)

Should governments take a hands-off approach to cyberspace, or should it be tightly regulated to protect consumers? Is our critical infrastructure resilient against cyber-attacks, or are we particularly vulnerable? How should we balance privacy interests against commercial ones? To what degree should states be allowed to collect digital data on their citizens without evidence of wrongdoing? This course explores how major world powers and economies set policy and regulation for technology and the digital space. We will compare how the United States, the European Union, and China address issues like data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and digital surveillance. We will look at how states address threats from hackers, transnational organized crime networks, and foreign state-aligned actors. The course will consider the political economy, national security, and civil liberties dimensions of these issues, including how they affect Big Tech companies, other economic actors, ordinary citizens, journalists, and activists.

Faculty & Administration

Lisa Lukasik

Lisa Lukasik is a nationally recognized authority in education law and policy. She has experience as a public school teacher in the United States and Europe, as a lawyer on behalf of American public schools, and as a State Hearing Review Officer twice appointed by the North Carolina Board of Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and state law to resolve appeals of special education due-process complaints. She now serves as an assistant professor of law at Campbell University where she teaches a variety of courses in civil rights litigation, public school law, special education law, and torts. Lukasik is an honors graduate of both Washington University in St. Louis, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif.

Nahal Kazemi

Nahal Kazemi joined the faculty of the Fowler School of Law as an assistant professor in 2023, after previously serving as visiting faculty and as an adjunct professor. She previously taught the Davis Polk Asylum Law Clinic at Columbia Law School and was a teaching fellow in the Harvard University Government Department. Professor Kazemi has offered courses relating to Torts, Civil Litigation Practice, and National Security Law. Professor Kazemi began her legal career as a litigator in private practice and spent over eight years as a political-military affairs officer in the United States Foreign Service. Her postings included Casablanca, Morocco; Baghdad, Iraq; Budapest, Hungary; and Washington, DC. Professor Kazemi’s scholarship focuses on rule of law issues, national security, and authoritarianism. She has published in a number of academic journals on issues ranging from transitional justice and universal jurisdiction to birthright citizenship to disarmament and European security institutions. Professor Kazemi received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Harvard College and her law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she was executive editor of the Harvard International Law Journal. She is a member of the Bars of California and New York.

Loreta Raulinaityte

Loreta Raulinaityte is an honors graduate of Vilnius University, Lithuania (Bachelor in Philology), a graduate of Samford University Cumberland School of Law (Juris Doctor), and of Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania (Master in Law, with a specialization in the European Union Law). Her legal experience includes working in the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice and the Administration of the Lithuanian Parliament. She was the Permanent Representative of the Lithuanian Parliament in the European Union (based in Brussels, Belgium). For several years, she has been a guest speaker on the European Union issues at the Study Abroad in Cambridge Program.

Brian Rose-Smith

Brian Rose-Smith is a graduate of the University of East Anglia (B. A. Hons.) and the College of Law, London and was admitted as a solicitor in 1975 having passed the Solicitors’ Exams with a distinction in commercial law. He practiced as a criminal lawyer for 40 years until 2015 and conducted cases at all levels from the magistrates’ courts to the House of Lords as it then was, now the Supreme Court. As a defense attorney he specialized in asset forfeiture, confiscation and serious fraud and carried out investigations and inquiries in many foreign jurisdictions including the Arab Emirates, the Caribbean and countries of the European Union. He also lectured on the law of confiscation at the practice where he worked as part of a program of continuing education. Since 2015 he has been involved in the study of medieval history at Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia where he is currently undertaking a master’s degree.

Kimberly R. West

Kimberly R. West attended the University of Alabama, where she received her Juris Doctor in 1983. After graduation, West served as a law clerk to the Hon. Frank M. Johnson Jr., United States Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a partner in the law firm of Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt in Birmingham, Alabama. West practices in the area of pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation. In 2011, she was awarded a master’s degree in English Literature from the Sewanee School of Letters. West is a member of the Shakespeare Association of America, the Shakespeare Theatre Association and the International Shakespeare Association. West teaches Shakespeare and Trial Advocacy at Cumberland School of Law.

Kerry P. McInerney, Director of Graduate and International Programs and Administrative Faculty

Kerry P. McInerney is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (BA), Wayne State University (MA), and Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (JD, cum laude). During law school, McInerney was active in the advocacy programs, winning both the Gordon T. Saad and Robert Donworth moot court competitions. He was an associate editor of the Cumbertland Law Review and graduated in the top 5% of his class. Professor McInerney is the former Managing Partner of Alabama and Mississippi Litigation for McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC. He joined McCalla after spending 20 years at Sirote & Permutt PC (now Dentons Sirote), where he devoted his career to financial services litigation and compliance. As chair of Sirote's Mortgage Litigation and Florida Mortgage Services Groups, he managed a team of dozens of attorneys defending class actions, trying jury trials, and handling appeals in state and federal courts. He served as trusted adviser to clients responding to regulatory enforcement actions and counseled financial services clients on compliance matters. McInerney is an award-winning author and frequent lecturer and panelist on issues related to the financial services industry. He has published more than 30 articles and appeared as a speaker or panelist at more than 25 industry events and continuing legal education seminars presented by ACI, The Knowledge Group, NBI, USFN, ALFN, DRI, the American Bar Association, and others. McInerney has served as faculty and director of Cumberland’s study abroad programs in 2023 and 2024. McInerney will also serve as on-site co-coordinator of the Scotland program.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before for your application is complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in your enrollment in the Scotland summer study abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due, and verification by their institution of good academic standing.

Accessibility

Cambridge University strives to make the campus accessible to all users. The University acknowledges that students may encounter accessibility issues to certain facilities due to the ancient layout of the town and parts of the campus. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the Cambridge University and makes no representations in that regard. Please contact kpmciner@samford.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and you will be notified via email. If you are already enrolled, you will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, the director of International Programs, of your decision to withdraw. Should you choose to withdraw, any payments you’ve made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Cambridge unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, you will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for your courses. This information will be provided via email. You will need to bring your electronic device for note taking and research as may be needed for your respective courses. There are supply stores nearby should you need classroom supplies.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before you leave the U.S., we recommend notifying your credit and debit card companies of your upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of your transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to England and transportation to the Sydney Sussex campus at Cambridge University (Sidney St, Cambridge CB2 3HU, UK). Students often travel from the airport to Cambridge by way of England’s efficient public transit systems. London’s Heathrow airport (airport code LHR) is approximately 30 minutes by way of the London Underground subway system (the “Tube”) to London’s King’s Cross train station, which is approximately 45 minutes from Cambridge by train. The campus can also be reached by bus, taxi, or ride-sharing platforms, such as Uber.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in England, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for United Kingdom Travel Information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. Be sure to review this information prior to your trip.

Please visit Samford’s Global Engagement website for more information about health and safety while abroad. You will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from the U.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

Please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have by contacting the director of International Programs, Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

Now in its second year, our Scotland study abroad program will host up to 20 students in historic Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning June 2, 2025, and concluding on July 2, 2025. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and home of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Students are housed and take classes at the University of Edinburgh, a physically beautiful and globally elite institution currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 34th best global university.

Known as the birthplace of golf, Scotland also boasts some of the world’s most amazing history, an abundances of castles, a unique culture and spectacular scenery. By train, Edinburgh is only 45 minutes from Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, and five hours from London. With at least two long weekends built into the program, students can choose to explore Scotland, England and Wales, and other countries throughout Europe.

Special features include:

• Intentionally small student cohort to facilitate experiential learning;
• Emphasis on persuasion as an essential advocacy skill regardless of setting--from courtroom to conference room to living room;
• Students are given a private tour of the Scottish Parliament led by a member of Parliament;
• Students have the opportunity to observe proceedings in the Sheriff’s Court of Edinburgh with a private presentation from a sitting Sheriff;
• Students will participate in a continuing legal education seminar alongside both U.S. and U.K. attorneys seeking their CLE requirements in the dream location of historic Edinburgh; and
• A trip to Strasbourg, France, joining the Cambridge students for a tour of the Parliament of the European Union.

Curriculum

Students receive a total of 5 credit hours including 1 credit hour course required for all students and 2 electives totaling 4 hours of experiential credit:

The Scottish Legal System (1) (Required)

A comparative law course exploring the development and functioning of the legal system in Scotland, the role of the judiciary, and the current contrast to and interface of the Scottish legal system within the broader UK and that of foreign nations, such as the U.S. and the European Union. The course offers students a unique opportunity to understand the practical and academic aspects of the emerging constitutional basis for the European Union and its effects on the Scotland system of justice in a post-Brexit landscape.

The Art of Persuasion (2) (Experiential)

Classroom lectures and experiential learning exercises draw from advocacy, literature, public speaking, journalism, and acting to learn strategies and techniques designed to improve their ability to persuade. Students will learn the 5 P's of Professor Mac's Persuasion Process and apply them to written assignments, classroom exercises, and discussions. In so doing, students will learn the impact of story, body language, body placement and voice on the message they seek to convey. The objective of the course is to enhance the students’ presence through increased awareness and command of their bodies and voices as the instruments of advocacy. From the courtroom to the boardroom to the conference room, students will discover how to turn any presentation into a command performance.

Foundations of Advocacy: Analysis & Storytelling (Civil) (2) (Experiential)

This course will focus on the foundations of persuasive advocacy by first examining the neurobiological foundation of persuasion. This part of the course will involve learning how to present case facts in a way that will trigger memory recall, maintain attention and build a connection with the jury. This course will teach students how to effectively analyze a civil case using applicable case law, statutory law and/or regulatory law to provide a framework for building a persuasive case theory. Students will learn the importance of developing effective case strategy based on their analysis of the legal framework and issues presented all while maintaining the foundation of developing a persuasive story based upon the knowledge they will gain of the neurobiology of persuasion. Students will be evaluated through means of a written case analysis memorandum and then will be tasked with constructing and delivering effective opening statements that encompass both their legal analysis and their understanding of the tools of persuasion they learn throughout the course.

Foundations of Advocacy: Analysis & Storytelling (Criminal) (2) (Experiential)

This course will focus on the foundation of persuasive criminal advocacy: case theory and storytelling. Students begin by learning to identify the foundational factual, legal, and emotional theories of both prosecution and defense. Students will learn to present these theories in the form of a memorandum to the District Attorney or the Public Defender and in a mock trial preparation meeting. This memorandum will serve as students’ roadmap in writing and delivery exercises. We then turn to the principles of storytelling and will discuss how to persuasively present factual, legal, and emotional theories in the narrative form. In this course, students will learn how to carry that narrative in opening statement and through the cross-examination of adverse witnesses. We will begin with the substance of persuasive storytelling in writing workshops; we then turn to delivery. Students will learn how to be comfortable while being uncomfortable, enabling them to deliver an authentically emotional and factual narrative that advances the case theory at every portion of a criminal trial.

Motions and Objections (2) (Experiential)

This course gives students the opportunity and challenge of applying the rules of evidence in the same fashion as practicing lawyers: via written motions, oral argument, and courtroom objections. This course involves participation in simulations during class sessions and written work outside of class. Topics include relevance, character evidence, hearsay, and expert testimony.

Scotland CLE: The Art of Advocacy

Cumberland School of Law's second annual international CLE conference, The Art of Advocacy, will be held at the Balmoral Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 29 – July 1, 2025. The CLE is designed to offer to practicing lawyers the persuasive advocacy techniques that modern lawyers need to represent their firms and their clients from the courtroom to the conference room to the board room. The Art of Advocacy CLE was launched in 2024 in conjunction with Cumberland School of Law’s inaugural Scotland Summer Study Abroad program at the University of Edinburgh. Borrowing from themes of persuasion, the study abroad program introduced students to the basics of advocacy and students then have the opportunity to sit alongside practicing attorneys from the U.S. and the U.K. in this immersive, two-day advocacy program.

Cumberland School of Law boasts a national reputation for excellence in legal education and is currently ranked #6 in the country for trial advocacy by U.S. News & World Report (2024). Cumberland has developed a truly one-of-a-kind experience to showcase this advocacy expertise in beautiful, historic Edinburgh.

Faculty and Administration

Ramona C. Albin, Associate Professor of Law

Before joining the Cumberland School of Law faculty in 2017, Ramona Albin worked as an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama for more than 10 years. Albin handled criminal trial and appellate litigation. She was also chief of the Appellate Division and argued numerous cases before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Earlier in her career, Albin worked as an assistant district attorney in Texas and Massachusetts. Albin graduated from Wesleyan University, received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and a Master of Public Health from Boston University. She is a member of the Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas bar organizations and is admitted to practice before the federal district courts in the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Kerry P. McInerney, Director of Graduate and International Programs and Administrative Faculty

Kerry P. McInerney is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (BA), Wayne State University (MA), and Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (JD, cum laude). During law school, McInerney was active in the advocacy programs, winning both the Gordon T. Saad and Robert Donworth moot court competitions. He was an associate editor of the Cumbertland Law Review and graduated in the top 5% of his class. Professor McInerney is the former Managing Partner of Alabama and Mississippi Litigation for McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC. He joined McCalla after spending 20 years at Sirote & Permutt PC (now Dentons Sirote), where he devoted his career to financial services litigation and compliance. As chair of Sirote's Mortgage Litigation and Florida Mortgage Services Groups, he managed a team of dozens of attorneys defending class actions, trying jury trials, and handling appeals in state and federal courts. He served as trusted adviser to clients responding to regulatory enforcement actions and counseled financial services clients on compliance matters. McInerney is an award-winning author and frequent lecturer and panelist on issues related to the financial services industry. He has published more than 30 articles and appeared as a speaker or panelist at more than 25 industry events and continuing legal education seminars presented by ACI, The Knowledge Group, NBI, USFN, ALFN, DRI, the American Bar Association, and others. McInerney has served as faculty and director of Cumberland’s study abroad programs in 2023 and 2024. McInerney will also serve as on-site co-coordinator of the Scotland program.

Sara Williams, Visiting Director of Advocacy Programs

Sara Williams is a 2006 graduate of Cumberland School of Law. During her law school career, she was an active member of Cumberland’s advocacy teams, including being the winner of the ABA’s 2005 National Mediation Competition. Her leadership roles in law school included serving as president of the Black Law Students Association and chief judge of Cumberland’s Trial Advocacy Board. In 2010, she returned to coach Cumberland’s mock trial teams and teach as an adjunct in the Basic Skills in Trial Advocacy course. Since that time, she has assisted in developing and teaching the Advanced Skills in Trial Advocacy (Civil) and Deposition Skills and Technology courses. Williams currently practices at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, where she handles primarily trucking, wrongful death and catastrophic injury litigation. Prior to joining the Alexander Shunnarah firm, she spent the first seven years of her career as an insurance defense lawyer. During her career she has tried a number of motor vehicle collision and trucking cases throughout the state of Alabama. From 2017 through the close of 2021, Wiliams was the managing attorney of Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. During that time the firm grew to include hundreds of attorneys and staff in offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Massachusetts.

Matt Woodham, Associate Professor of Law and Assistant Director of Advocacy Programs

Matt Woodham, a member of Cumberland School of Law’s class of 2015, has extensive litigation experience through his previous work as an assistant public defender for Tuscaloosa County. In that role, he represented clients charged with offenses ranging from DUI to capital murder. He also taught in-office seminars on evidence and cross examination and was a National Criminal Defense College graduate. While working at the Tuscaloosa County Public Defender’s Office, Woodham volunteered as a coach for Cumberland’s National Trial Team with many successful outcomes such as winning the 2017 National Trial Advocacy Competition. Woodham’s success as a coach correlates to his success as a student. While in law school, he was the third-year class president, an associate editor of the Cumberland Law Review, and graduated in the top 5% of his class. As a member of the National Trial Team, he and his fellow teammates won the 2014 National Trial Advocacy Competition (NTAC) and were the National Trial Competition (NTC) regional winners and national semifinalists in 2015. Individually, he received the Best Closing Argument Award at the 2015 NTC regionals, was a Parham Williams Freshman Trial Competition winner, and received the Michael Rasmussen Excellence in Advocacy Award. As a member of Cumberland’s faculty, Woodham wrote the casefiles used in the 2022 and 2021 Tournament of Champions Trial Competition, in which only the top 16 advocacy programs are invited to participate. Woodham additionally writes the yearly supplement to the Trial Handbook for Alabama Lawyers.

Gillian More, International Adjunct Professor

Gillian More is a former prosecutor in the High Court of Justiciary Edinburgh where she held the position of Advocate Depute in the Lord Advocate’s Department, Crown Office Edinburgh. A lifelong prosecutor, retiring after a career spent in public service where she held multiple positions, to include time Crown Prosecutor in the High Courts of Justice. She has taught advocacy worldwide, for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Stetson University College of Law, Scottish Prosecution College Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, and courses in Ukraine and Istanbul. Recognized for her natural teaching skills, More has served as an integral part of Stetson’s Educating Advocates program and recently taught in Stetson’s overseas programs in Ireland and in London. She has also taught on the University of Strathclyde’s LL.M. in Communication Negotiation and Advocacy program. More is a lifelong resident of Scotland and serves as the resident Scottish comparative law professor for the Scotland program.

Tona M. Hitson, Director of Law Student Services

Tona Hitson attended the University of Georgia, where she earned her BBA in finance at UGA's Terry College of Business. She then attended Cumberland School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Hitson was on the Dean’s List, clerked with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Alabama, served as managing editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, worked as a student member of the Center for Law and Civic education, and was a member of the Honor Court. After law school, Hitson worked for a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. She returned to Birmingham to work for a local litigation firm and then worked as associate counsel for AIG Baker Properties LLC. After several years serving as her household manager and caretaker of four beautiful children, she returned to serve as the Director of Student Services at Cumberland in 2019. Hitson will serve as the on-site program co-coordinator while in Scotland.

Admission Criteria

Program participation is limited to Cumberland School of Law students in good standing.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $200 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, or the program is cancelled. The application fee will be applied to Housing and Administration Fees once the student is accepted.

The law school recognizes that financial aid for summer legal studies may not be available until ten days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and worked out an acceptable payment schedule with the program director.

Tuition and Fees

The financial cost for the Scotland summer study abroad program includes the application fee, tuition, insurance, administrative and housing fees plus student travel related expenses. Program costs do NOT include student travel costs or travel related expenses. Although program fees are not expected to change, in the unlikely event that housing costs are increased by the University of Edinburgh students will be notified of that increase.

Application Fee: $200

Applications must be accompanied by an application fee. This non-refundable fee begins the registration process. If the student is accepted into the program, the fee is applied to the student’s Housing & Administration fees.

Tuition: $4,437

Students receive five credit hours towards graduation for classes taken during the Scotland Summer Study Abroad. Students will register for one 1-credit course (required of all students) and two of four available 2-credit electives.

Housing and Administration Fees: $6,750 (includes housing, breakfast & lunch on class days)

Students will be housed at Pollock Halls at the University of Edinburgh in single ensuite rooms. Breakfast is included for registered students each day of the program. Lunch is included for registered students each class day. All other meals are the responsibility of the student. Lodging will be provided from June 2 to July 2. Rooms must be vacated no later than 9 a.m. on July 2.

University Graduate Program Fee: $285

University Global Engagement Fee: $100

University Health Insurance Fee: $77.50

Total: $11,781

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for the Scotland summer study abroad program for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before for your application is complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in your enrollment in the Scotland summer study abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

The Scotland summer study abroad program is intentionally small and limited to no more than 20 students. Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due, and verification of good academic standing at Cumberland School of Law.

Accessibility

The University of Edinburgh strives to make the campus accessible to all users. The University acknowledges that students may encounter accessibility issues to certain facilities due to the ancient layout of the town and parts of the campus. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the University of Edinburgh and makes no representations in that regard. Please contact kpmciner@samford.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and you will be notified via email. If you are already enrolled, you will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, the director of International Programs, of your decision to withdraw. Should you choose to withdraw, any payments you’ve made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Edinburgh unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, you will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for your courses. This information will be provided via email. You will need to bring your electronic device for note taking and research as may be needed for your respective courses. There are supply stores nearby should you need classroom supplies.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before you leave the U.S., we recommend notifying your credit and debit card companies of your upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of your transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to Edinburgh and transportation to Pollock Halls Campus at the University of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh airport (airport code EDI) is approximately 25-30 minutes from Pollock Halls Campus, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in Scotland, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for United Kingdom Travel Information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. Be sure to review this information prior to your trip.

Please visit Samford’s Global Engagement website for more information about health and safety while abroad. You will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from theU.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

Please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have by contacting the director of International Programs, Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

One of our two new study abroad opportunities, the inaugural Iceland summer study abroad program will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 22-July 9, 2025. Housed at the University of Iceland, the program is centered on the impact of environmental law on the world’s ecosystems and Reykjavik provides the ideal location for a study abroad program of this kind.

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world. Reykjavik is one of the leaders in renewable energy and Iceland is known for its sustainable sources of energy and use of geothermal and hydropower to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Iceland also integrates sustainability models in other areas such as tourism, fisheries, transportation and Reykjavik, the largest city in Iceland, is at the forefront of those efforts. Reykjavik is home to and surrounded by massive volcanos, extensive glaciers, bubbling geysers, and numerous waterfalls.

Special features include:

• An intentionally small student cohort of no more than 16 students;
• Tour of the Supreme Court of Iceland with a private Q & A with the president of the Supreme Court of Iceland;
• Tour of the Icelandic Parliament;
• Tour of the Geothermal Plant and Carbfix Borehole at Reykjavik Energy Plant;
• Tour of Hvammvick Geothermal Pools.

Curriculum

Students receive a total of 3 credit hours comprising three 1 credit hour courses:

Comparative Land Use Law - the U.S. and Scandinavia (1 credit hour)

This course compares and contrasts the U.S. and Scandinavian approaches to land use planning and regulation. The U.S., with its federal system of government, is decentralized, with state and local governments largely dictating land uses. Nordic countries (at least some) are centralized, with national governments dictating the terms of land use. This course compares and contrasts the two approaches, highlighting the pros and cons of each and the impact on their respective environments and natural resources.

Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resource (1 credit hour)

Climate change poses a significant threat to natural resources around the globe. From sea level rise to forest impacts to interior urban flooding, policies that address climate change will be critical to mitigate societal and economic harms. This course explores the challenges posed by climate change and the federal, state, and local government policies aimed at protecting natural resources, local economies, and the people who live in climate-threatened communities.

The Icelandic Legal System (1 credit hour)

This is a comparative law course designed to explore the differences between the Icelandic, E.U. and U.S. legal systems. The course looks at the priorities influencing the development of the respective legal systems and examines how each legal systems supports or impedes inevitable social change.

Faculty & Administration

Blake Hudson, Dean and Professor of Law

Blake Hudson comes to Cumberland School of Law after serving as the Samuel T. Dell professor of law and director of the Environmental Land Use and Real Estate Law Program at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. As a professor, Hudson teaches courses related to property, environmental and natural resources law. His research focuses on the intersection of land use law, policy, and planning with natural resource management, with particular emphasis on the role of forest management in combating climate change and the implications of land development for sustainable natural resource management.

His research has also centered on the complex role of private property rights and government institutions as solutions to common dilemmas and how federalism and constitutional structure have the potential to both complicate and resolve land use and natural resource management issues at the state, federal and international levels. He has published over 30 articles in legal and peer reviewed academic journals, 10 book chapters and three books.

Hudson obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology and history, with minors in prelaw and political science, from the University of Montevallo. He graduated with high honors from Duke University School of Law and received a Master of Environmental Science and Policy from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

William Grady Holt, Associate Director

A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, William Holt received his Bachelor of Arts in geography from the University of Georgia where he was in the Honors Program graduating Phi Beta Kappa and received the UGA President’s Award. Holt completed a master’s in city planning from the College of Architecture at Georgia Tech graduating with honors. He holds a PhD from Yale University with a focus on urban and cultural sociology as well as a JD in environmental and energy law from Vermont Law School where he was a Schweitzer Fellow with Dartmouth College.

Holt started his planning career while at Georgia Tech working on the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta with Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Community Design Center. He served as a community planner with the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington, D.C. on the 2050 Monumental Core Plan updates of the 1791 L’Enfant and 1902 McMillan Plans for the national capital. While at Vermont Law School, he interned with the Institute for Energy and the Environment and the Vermont Public Service Commission.

Prior to coming to Samford, Holt served as the program coordinator for Birmingham-Southern College’s (BSC) Urban Environmental Studies Program as well as co-chair for the Architectural Studies major. Also, Holt redeveloped the curriculum to re-establish the sociology program. Through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP), he collaborated with Bessemer, Alabama to develop engaged learning programs for site remediation and redevelopment as well as an ethnographic industrial history community data base of citizens’ videos. BSC recognized Holt with the Whetstone Award for outstanding junior faculty and Randall Award for student organization advising.

Siguduor Helgason, International Adjunct Professor

Helgason is currently Associate Counsel with the Confederation of Icelandic Businesses. Helgason attended the Commercial College of Iceland with majors in physics and natural science, University of Iceland with a Bachelor of Laws degree and Magister Juris degree. Helgason has served as a District Court Attorney, Associate Counsel with Juris, and Counsel for Frigus, and Associate Counsel with Lagastod law firm. Helgason has taught law students at the University of Iceland in the areas of Contracts, Torts, and Procedure. Helgason has coached law students to participate in the Commercial College of Iceland competition from 2010 – 2015 as well as participated as a student in the Nordic Moot Court competitions conducted in Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. Helgason is fluent in Icelandic, English, German, Danish, and Swedish. Helgason studied in Cambridge, England 2000 to 2001 and in Gothenburg, Sweden, summer 2010 and fall 2015.

Tona M. Hitson, Director of Law Student Services

Tona Hitson attended the University of Georgia, where she earned her BBA in finance at UGA's Terry College of Business. She then attended Cumberland School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Hitson was on the Dean’s List, clerked with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Alabama, served as managing editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, worked as a student member of the Center for Law and Civic education, and was a member of the Honor Court. After law school, Hitson worked for a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. She returned to Birmingham to work for a local litigation firm and then worked as associate counsel for AIG Baker Properties LLC. After several years serving as her household manager and caretaker of four beautiful children, she returned to serve as the director of student services at Cumberland in 2019. Hitson will serve as co-program director while in Iceland.

Admission Criteria

Program participation is currently limited to Cumberland School of Law students in good standing.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $200 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, or the program is cancelled. The application fee will be applied to Housing and Administration Fees once the student is accepted.

The law school recognizes that financial aid for summer legal studies may not be available until ten days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and worked out an acceptable payment schedule with the program director.

Tuition & Fees

The financial cost for the Iceland summer study abroad program includes the application fee, tuition, insurance, administrative and housing fees plus student travel related expenses. Program costs do NOT include student travel costs or travel related expenses. Although program fees are not expected to change, in the unlikely event that housing costs are increased by the University of Iceland students will be notified of that increase.

Application Fee: $200

Applications must be accompanied by an application fee. This non-refundable fee begins the registration process. If the student is accepted into the program, the fee is applied to the student’s Housing & Administration fees.

Tuition: $2,662

Students receive three credit hours towards graduation for classes taken during the Iceland Summer Study Abroad. Each student will be registered for three (3) one-hour courses.

Housing and Administration Fees: $5,500 (includes housing, breakfast & lunch on class days)

Students will be housed at the University of Iceland Student Hostel in single ensuite rooms. Breakfast is included for registered students each day of the program. All other meals are the responsibility of the student. Lodging will be provided from June 21 to July 9, 2025. Rooms must be vacated no later than 9 a.m. on July 9.

University Graduate Program Fee: $285

University Global Engagement Fee: $100

University Health Insurance Fee: $77.50

Total: $8,624.50

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for the Iceland summer study abroad program for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before for your application is complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in your enrollment in the Iceland Summer Study Abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

The Iceland summer study abroad program is intentionally small and limited to no more than 16 students. Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due and verification of good academic standing at Cumberland School of Law.

Accessibility

The University of Iceland strives to make the campus accessible to all users. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the University of Iceland and makes no representations in that regard. Please contact kpmciner@samford.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and you will be notified via email. If you are already enrolled, you will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, the director of International Programs, of your decision to withdraw. Should you choose to withdraw, any payments you’ve made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Reykjavik unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, you will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for your courses. This information will be provided via email. You will need to bring your electronic device for note taking and research as may be needed for your respective courses. There are supply stores nearby should you need classroom supplies.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before you leave the U.S., we recommend notifying your credit and debit card companies of your upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of your transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to Reykjavik and transportation to the Student Hostel at the campus of the University of Iceland. The Reykjavik (Keflavik) airport (airport code KEF) is approximately 25-30 minutes from campus, Hringbraut 29, Reykjavík 101, 5102828.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in Iceland, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for Iceland Travel Information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. Be sure to review this information prior to your trip.

Please visit Samford’s Global Engagement website for more information about health and safety while abroad. You will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from the U.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

Please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have by contacting the director of International Programs, Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

Cumberland School of Law's second annual international CLE conference, The Art of Advocacy, will be held at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 29-July 1, 2025. The seminar will be held at the conclusion of the school’s advocacy-based, summer study abroad program for its students at the University of Edinburgh.

Cumberland School of Law boasts a national reputation for excellence in legal education and is currently ranked #6 in the country for trial advocacy by U.S. News & World Report (2024). Cumberland has developed a truly one-of-a-kind experience to showcase this advocacy expertise. Set in beautiful, historic Edinburgh, Cumberland students will sit alongside practicing attorneys from the U.S. and the U.K. in this immersive, two-day advocacy program.

Register

Why Attend?

Rather than traditional CLE lectures, this program will feature experiential sessions devoted to persuasion. Through these focused workshops and presentations, attendees will enhance and hone their persuasive advocacy skills.

While in Scotland, attendees will have the chance to sample Edinburgh’s incredible history and culture. The Royal Mile boasts many opportunities to shop, dine, and take in significant historical landmarks such as the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Farther afield, opportunities for exploration abound in Scotland’s many stunning mountains, lochs, glens and coastlines.

The Art of Advocacy will offer 12 CLE hours, including one ethics hour. This CLE is approved for credit by the Alabama State Bar and the New York State Bar Association. We will provide you with documentation to seek approval in any other state as well.

Who Can Benefit?

Session participants and presenters will hail from both the U.S. and the U.K. These global voices will offer novel approaches to persuasive advocacy. In addition to expanding their global professional network, attendees can integrate these broadened perspectives into their practices, wherever they call home. From the courtroom to the board room to the living room, this CLE is designed to benefit legal professionals of all kinds.

Together with Cumberland School of Law’s international programs, this CLE is a direct reflection of the global influence initiative of Samford’s Fidelitas strategic plan. By fostering international connections and professional growth in these renowned settings, current and future professionals can expand their network, worldviews, and become more prepared for the increasingly global legal market.

Registration

• Seating is limited, so register today!
• Cost: $1750 until March 1, 2025 ($1950 after March 1) including a $500 non-refundable registration fee

Register

Under a cooperative arrangement between Cumberland School of Law and The Norwich Law School at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, British law students have the opportunity to study in the U.S., and Cumberland School of Law graduates have the opportunity to study in the U.K. Participating Norwich LLB students spend a year at Cumberland School of Law after their second year of legal studies at Norwich. Two Cumberland JD graduates each year are awarded full-tuition scholarships for studies toward an LLM degree at Norwich.